Fernandez himself will be going to Jerusalem Jan. 15 for talks with Israeli leaders.

The Spanish foreign minister assumed the rotating chairmanship of the Brussels-based E.C. Council of Ministers on Jan. 1, taking over from Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias of Greece. Foreign Minister Roland Dumas of France will succeed Fernandez July 1.

The three foreign ministers constitute the “troika” mandated by their E.C. partners last month to consult and confer with Israel, the PLO and all other parties concerned to help resolve the Middle East conflict.

The troika is expected to visit Syria, Jordan and Egypt and will to talk to Arafat in Madrid.

Arafat’s new stature in diplomatic circles stems in large measure from the American decision last month to open a dialogue with the PLO.

The flurry of activity this month is in preparation for the Feb. 14 meeting of the 12 E.C. foreign ministers in Madrid.

According to a well-informed source here, the foreign ministers may use that gathering to launch an initiative for an international conference for Middle East peace under U.N. auspices.